Foldable utility kit



Sept. 25, 1956 A. G. WHIPPO 2,764,201

FOLDABLE UTILITY KIT Filed June 2, 1955 LVVQUVTOR. 5 AUSTIN WHIPfO ATTORNEY$ United States Patent 9 FOLDABLE UTILITY KIT Austin G. Whippo, Barberton, Ohio Application June2, 1-955, SerialNo. 512,777 r 3 Claims. (Cl. 150 -34) The present invention relates generally to utility kits adapted to be carried in a womans purse or handbag. More particularly, the invention relates to a compact, foldable utility kit for carrying catamenial items in an unobtrusive and sanitary manner.

Prior containers or kits for personal toilet articles have had certain disadvantages, such as being awkward and inconvenient to use, too large or small to neatly contain the articles, and not adapted for convenient insertion into an ordinary, ladies purse. Important considerations in a kit of this sort are that it folds easily into a relatively small and flat package, that it be neat and inconspicuous, and that it be inexpensive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a small, neat, compact package which can be carried without difliculty in the concealment of a pocket or a womans handbag.

It is another object to provide an article having an outer folder or cover which can be finished in an attractive decorative manner, and which will detachably receive at least two smaller containers or pouches.

Still further, it is an object to provide individual containers or pouches which are readily detachable from the cover container for easy access to the contents of the pouches or for the replacement thereof.

These and other objects will be apparent in view of the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the attached drawing, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away showing the kit when unfolded;

Fig. 2 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, showing individual containers detached from the outer cover and one of the containers in section, and

Fig. 3 is a view, similar to Figs. 1 and 2, showing the kit completely closed or folded.

In the embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, the utility kit is indicated generally by the numeral 5. The kit 5 may be constructed of suitable moistureimpervious, stain resistant plastic film or reinforced fabric materials which may have a decorative outer surface if desired. In its preferred form the kit 5 includes a fold-- able outer cover member 6, to which are attached a rectangular-shaped pouch or container 7 for a sanitary napkin and a smaller, substantially fiat purse-like container 8 for a sanitary belt.

The cover member 6 is preferably constructed of a fairly heavy or reinforced material, such as described above, and may be two-ply as shown, so as to be relatively stiff yet have suificient flexibility to form the compact folded structure shown in Fig. 3. The cover member includes an upper flap or end portion 10, a medial panel portion 11, an upright container attaching member or rib 12 between portions and 11, and an inner flap or end portion 14.

The outer flap 10, the medial portion 11, and the inner Patented Sept. 25,1956

'2 flap 14 are preferably constructed in one pieceandstitched in folds 15 which are provided between said. portionsso that the three portions may be folded in relation to each other inthe manner shown in Fig. 3.

The upper flap portion 10 is provided with a concealed transverse reinforcing member 16 adjacent the outer end thereof which prevents the edges 17 of the flap from curling or bending when the kit 5 is opened or closed. Inwardly of the reinforcing member 16, the flap is provided with fastening means 18, which maybe a snap type or other suitable fastener, for attaching the purse-like container 8 within the kit '5'.

The container 8 is of a conventional envelope construction having a body portion 20 and a flap 21 fastened to the body portion by a snap fastening means 22, and is provided with matching snap members 18A on the back side for attachment to the fastening means 18 as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows the container 8 detached from the folder.

The container 7 for the sanitary napkin 25 has a body portion 26, a reinforced edge portion 26A, walls 27 and a flap 28 fastened to the body portion by a snap fastening means 29. The end portion 26A of the container is attached by snaps 30 to fastening members 30A on the upright rib member 12, one edge of which is secured, as by stitching to one of the folds 15 in member 6. This rib member is preferably relatively stiff and may be twoply as shown. Fig. 2 shows the container 7 detached from the folder.

The inner flap portion 14 has secured thereto as at 33 a fastening strap 34 which has a matching snap 35A for a fastening means 35 attached to the outer flap 10. The strap 34 serves to hold the kit closed as shown in Fig. 3.

The kit 5 will hold the catamenial items in a very in conspicuous manner and may be carried in a pocket or handbag. The individual containers 7 and 8 are securely held in place, yet are easily detached as units for replacement of the containers or of their contents. If the belt in container 8 is in use, the container 7 can be removed from the kit and carried separately in pocket or handbag. The stiff rib portion 12 has been found to be extremely effective in maintaining the shape of the kit, especially when closed. Moreover, it greatly facilitates attaching or detaching the container 7, because the location of the matching snap portions is always in view. Finally, the kit is constructed of sanitary materials so that the items can be carried in the as-new condition.

In the drawing and specification, the best known form of the invention has been shown and described. It will be understood that modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit thereof, the invention being measured by the appended claims and not by details of the specification.

What is claimed is:

1. A utility kit comprising a foldable substantially rectangular cover member having an outer flap, a medial portion and an inner flap; an upright rib member secured to the inner surface of said cover member between said outer flap and medial portion; an envelope-like container; means for detachably securing said container to the inner surface of said outer flap; a box-like container; means for detachably securing said box-like container to said upright rib member and overlying said medial portion; and means for fastening said outer flap over said inner flap in the folded position.

2. A utility kit comprising a foldable cover member having an outer flap, a medial portion and an-inner flap; an upright rib member secured to the inner surface of said cover member between said outer flap and medial portion; snap fastener elements secured on the inner surface of said outer flap and on said upright rib member adjacent said medial portion; an envelope-like container having companion snap fastener elements attached to said snap fastener elements on said outer flap; a box-like container having companion snap fastener elements attached to said snap fastener elements on said upright rib member and overlying said medial portion; and means for fastening said outer flap over said inner flap in the folded position.

3. A utility kit comprising a foldable cover member having an outer flap, a medial portion and an inner flap, said outer flap having a transverse reinforcing member adjacent the end thereof; an upright rib member secured to the inner surface of said cover member between said outer flap and medial portion; snap fastener elements secured on the inner surface of said outer flange and on said upright rib member adjacent said medial portion;

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,653,246 Zichy Dec. 20, 1927 1,722,507 Stanley July 30, 1929 1,723,117 Alstrand Aug. 6, 1929 2,337,860 Zeitenberg Dec. 28, 1943 

